CITY OF FRESNO
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. PW00955
THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.
APPLICANT: Steve Delsid
Department of Public Works
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
PROJECT LOCATION: The Intersections of Friant and Fort Washington, Friant and Champlain, Friant and Lakevie w, Friant and Copper, and Friant and Copper River.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City of Fresno Department of Public Works is proposing to make improvements to the intersections of Friant and Forth Washington, Friant and Champlain, Friant and Lakeview, Friant and Copper, and Friant and Copper River. The improv ements to be made will only improve the traffic signal’s way of detecting vehi cles in the vicinity and the accessibility of pedestrian traveling surfaces. T he improvements to happen at all five intersections include traffic signal loop detection installation, new traffic signal cabinet replacements, new underground conduit and cable replac ements, installation of new cameras that view the intersection, and replacement of sidewalk and pedestrians travel ing surfaces to make them fully accessible. The construction of this j ob will all be within the City of Fresno limits and none of the improvements will expand the capacity of the City roads or sidewalks.
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Cl ass 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
Section 15301/Class 1 consists of the operation, repai r, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. The ty pes of "existing facilities" itemized below are not intended to be all-inclusiv e of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whet her the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Specifically included in this class of exemption are:
(c) Existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road grading for the purpose of public safety); and
d) Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, unless it is determined that the damage was substantial and re sulted from an environmental hazard such as earthquake, landslide, or flood.
The proposed project is consistent with the Class 1 exemption because it will make improvements to the intersecti ons of Friant and Forth Washi ngton, Friant and Champlain, Friant and Lakeview, Friant and Copper, and Friant and Copper River that will rehabilitate the intersections without increasing roadway capac ity. The improvements planned for all five intersections include traffic signal loop detection installa tion, traffic signal cabinet replacements, underground conduit and cable, installation of new cameras that view the intersection, and replacement of sidewalk and pedestrians travel ing surfaces to make them fully accessible. This project will improve efficiency of existing roads by making improvements that will allow for the coordinat ion of existing traffic signals. This will reduce congestion without expanding the roadway. No additional traffic or associated traffic impacts will result from the proposed improvements. The project is consistent with the Fresno General Plan and complies with all conditions described in Se ction 15301/Class 1 of the California CEQA Guidelines.
None of the exceptions to Cat egorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
Furthermore, the proposed projec t is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, a categorical exempt ion, as noted above, has been prepared for the project.
Date: June 26, 2023
Prepared By: Steve Delsid, PE
Submitted by:
Steve Delsid
Supervising Professional Engineer
City of Fresno
Public Works Department
(559) 621-8725